Mobile Broadband to Become a Standard Feature in Notebook Computers

October 16, 200 - High-speed mobile broadband connectivity, powered by HSDPA, will soon become a standard feature of notebook PCs following the publication of guidelines, developed by a GSM Association-led initiative, that prescribe a common approach for PC manufacturers to fully integrate 3G functionality in their product ranges.

HSDPA is a software upgrade for 3G that claims to deliver up to four times the speed of standard 3G or W-CDMA. Of the 123 commercial 3G W-CDMA mobile networks live in 55 countries; more than half claim to be HSDPA-enabled across 40 countries.  In total, 121 networks have committed to deploying HSDPA.

At the 3GSM World Congress earlier this year, the GSM Association and Intel Corporation announced an initiative to facilitate and drive the adoption of the GSM family of technologies in notebooks.

Participants in the initiative include mobile operators: Cingular Wireless,  O2, Orange, TeliaSonera, TIM, T-Mobile and Vodafone as well as major manufacturers and suppliers of mobile, software and PC equipment; Check Point, Dell, Fujitsu, Gemalto, Intel, Lenovo, Microsoft, Option Wireless, Novatel Wireless, Qualcomm, Sierra Wireless and Sony Ericsson.

“Through the combined efforts of operators and vendors, the unique advantages and pervasiveness of the mobile platform can now be enjoyed by notebook users,” said Rob Conway, CEO of the GSM Association. “As the roll-out of HSDPA accelerates rapidly across the world, 3G broadband enabled notebooks with embedded, seamless connectivity will give customers the opportunity to enjoy the many benefits of a multi-communications device with global mobility and secure authentication.”